St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-04-21

INDUCED In mere. SeDatOf OtanIOru, III
may be mentioned in passing, besides
representing this state in the u. s.
senate, is president of the great South
ern Pacific railway system which now
controls over 5000 miles of road. His
country residence is less than a mile
from the MenlO Park station, just in
side the northern rim of his vast estate
in this valley. / do not know how
many acres are included in this estate
no one knows. They measure these
things here by miles. Winding drive
ways, most carefully gravelled and
kept, bOrdered by flowers and fruit
trees and vines, lead to the residence.
This is in the midst of grounds taste
fully laid out, and adorned with statu-
airy, designs in flowers, and every de-
vice of the landscape gardener. Two
miles from this residence, over wide
and perfect road, through fields of
richest verdure of wheat, barley and
alfalfa,-all within this same estate
one reaches what is known as Stan
ford's horse ranch. Here is little
village of barns, sheds, shops, ETC.,
surrounded by pastures, halfacre pens,
race tracks, etc, where over one hun
dred men are employed in breeding,
caring for and training horses. Before
reaching this place horses begin to ap-
pear on either side. In one field are
35 brood mares in alfalfa half up to
their knees. Coming nearer the barns
the mares and young colts are seen,
generally in a little acre pasture by
themselves. Before reaching the sta
bles mile track is passed where all
through the day the horse trainers of
the ranch are exercising, speeding and
timing their horses. There are be-
tween seven hundred and eight hun
dred horses here now. Breeding and
training is for speed only. A horse
that does not develops speed is dispOs-
ed of at once as unworthy a place on
Palo Alto ranch. A fast-hOrse man
can here look upon ''ElectiOneer," a
$4,000 stock horse which stands at
the head of the ranch, he can see Il
$4,000 four-years- old, or witness sew
eral trOtters go round the mile track
in 2.16.
One thing about this horse ranch is
worthy of imitation everywhere. The
horses are so "brOken" that they are
never vicious and are always fearless.
When colts are from six to eight
months old their training begins; very
simple at first, very gentle always. A
colt must not be whipped Oh this ranch
The consequence is the colt grows up
of gentle disposition and afraid of
nothing because there is nothing to
harm or Brighten him. AS one passes
along in front of their large box stalls:
two and three years old colts will come
to the gate and put their heads over
to be petted. The regret must come to
many who see this model horse ranch
that business and carriage horses are
not bred and trained here, instead of
everything being absorbed by the
gambling race track.
A part of this vast estate has been
given by Mr.. Stanford to found uni
versity. The site has been selected on
a beautiful elevation mile or so be-
yond the horse ranch, and land to the
value of several millions of dollars been
given to endOw it. Senator Stanford
makes this gift in memory of his only
child, a boy of some is years, whose
death he mourns. The gift is princely,
the scheme immense, but the value to
the state and world not yet apparent.
| cannot leave Menlo Park without
referring to the estate of j. Q. Flood.
His grounds too are vast. From the
pretentiOus pOrter's lodge by the en-
trance gate for full half mile, per-
fectly kept driveway winds among
flowers, shrubs and trees mp to the res
idence. This is a most striking struc
ture of dazzling whiteness. In archi
lecture it seems to be a cross between
the new state department building at
Washington and the Cologne cathedral.
One is amazed at it's size and imposing
appearance. 1t cost three million dol
lars. Mote In speaking of values
Californians always use the term mil
lions, and in describing estates or
ranches, so many thousand acres, or so
many miles in extent. Fortunes that
can be reckoned by hundreds of thou
sands, or lands that can be computed
by hundreds of acres, are not worth
mentioning here. There are miles of
and walks among most ex-
quisite flowers and trees, until one be-
comes bewildered and dazed.
This letter has already exceeded all
limit and if mention is made
of other money kings it must be in
another letter. c.. M. STONE.
San Rafael, Apr. 5.
Spring Indications.
Philadelphia Times